An upgraded version of Russian launch vehicle Proton-M has taken off early today from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan carrying Kazakh telecommunications satellite KazSat-3 and Russian relay satellite Luch-5V.

New amendments to the Law On Communications allow Kazakhstan authorities to block access to networks, including the Internet, and turn off communications equipment without even needing to obtain a court ruling.

Turkey will on Tuesday unveil the world's first sea tunnel connecting two continents, fulfilling a sultan's dream 150 years ago, but also fuelling recent anti-government sentiment for such mega projects.